State Prison Inmate Death Under Investigation

(WESTOVER, MD) – Maryland State Police investigators continue an investigation into the death of a state prison inmate in Somerset County.

The inmate, identified as Donyell Cornell Morris, 24, was declared deceased on August 31 by emergency medical service personnel. He was a state prison inmate serving time at the Eastern Correctional Institute in Westover.

A suspect, also an inmate, has been identified.  He has not been charged at this time and is not being identified pending further investigation.

At 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit was contacted by investigators from the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Intelligence and Investigative Division (DPSCS IID) about an inmate death. The preliminary investigation indicates Donyell Morris was in a cell with another inmate prior to being found lying on his bunk and unresponsive by correctional officers at the Eastern Correctional Institute. Donyell Morris was pronounced deceased by emergency medical service personnel.

Maryland State Police investigators along with crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division responded to the scene.

Upon completion, the investigation will be presented to the Somerset County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.  The investigation is active and ongoing.

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